Uncovered Remnants of a 1856 Sunken Steamship
Over 160 years ago, a passenger vessel crashed into another ship in the Atlantic Ocean, leading to its swift sinking. The tragedy claimed the lives of 114 individuals, causing an international uproar. Recent findings by US scuba divers have uncovered fragments of the ill-fated vessel.
Recently, divers from Atlantic Wreck Salvage unearthed fragments of the "Lyonnais," a 19th-century passenger steamship that sank nearly 170 years ago in the North Atlantic. The discovery was made around 320 km off the Massachusetts coast in August, as per Jennifer Sellitti's announcement. The wreckage site revealed the grisly fate of 114 passengers who drowned. Divers found only partial remains of the ship.
The North Atlantic Ocean can be an unforgiving setting for shipwrecks due to powerful currents and shifting sand, Sellitti pointed out. However, a large engine boiler identified the debris as remnants of the "Lyonnais." The "Lyonnais" was a technologically advanced steamship built in 1855 and put into operation by the French company Compagnie Franco-Américaine in 1856. It was commonly used for transporting passengers, goods, and correspondence across the Atlantic.
On November 2, 1856, the "Lyonnais" was returning to Le Havre from New York with 132 passengers on board when it collided with the American sailing ship "Adriatic." Captain Jonathan Durham later revealed to the "New York Times" that the "Lyonnais" had unexpectedly altered course, resulting in the inevitable collision.
Both ships continued their journeys while severely damaged. Captain Durham successfully navigated the "Adriatic" into Gloucester, Massachusetts' port, but the "Lyonnais" sank a few days later after the collision. Only a handful of passengers were rescued, while the majority perished, bringing the total death toll to 114. The sinking of the "Lyonnais" sparked global outrage and raised doubts about maritime regulations. Despite Durham's claims, he was detained and ultimately convicted in France. Jules Verne even referenced the event in his novel "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
Following the collision, efforts to salvage the sinking "Lyonnais" were futile. Despite the tragedy, shipping companies continued to navigate the perilous North Atlantic Ocean, implementing stricter safety measures to prevent similar disasters.
